"My sister Joannus," you say. "You know what happened to her?" You are just barely managing to keep your voice steady. You so badly want to beg them, to accuse them, but you know now just by looking at their faces that they would've been around the same age as you when your sister was captured. Nonetheless...
"We know nothing about the woman you speak of," Alenka says.
"We have done everything we can for you," Mirabel adds. "Please allow us to return to our conversation. You may come to us if you have any concerns about the establishment."
"And we will come to you if you don't pay your tab," Sorvia says. She punctuates it with a smile, but you somehow you can tell she is telling the truth.
You still have so many more questions bouncing around in your mind. You have to remind yourself that you have a lead now: Tser Pool, down the Svalich Road, and up a trail that branches northeast.
"Actually, I did have one more question," you say. "Two, actually. I will leave you to your business. But first, please tell me where I may find another adventurer who can accompany me on my travels, and whether there are dangers I should watch out for on the road."
"Dangers?" Alenka says. "Do not be anywhere near the Svalich woods at night."
"And do not get on Strahd's bad side," Sorvia says.
You cock your head inquisitively.
Sorvia pauses a moment, then elaborates. "Strahd von Zarovich," she says. "Our Lord." She points upward with her finger. "He rules Barovia from Castle Ravenloft. He often takes an interest in adventurers who stumble in through the fog."
Thinking of your sister, this notion makes you feel uneasy.
"Do not defy him if you wish to stay long," she continues. "He is a very exacting man, and his gaze extends far."
"Adventurers are rare here," Mirabel says, acknowledging your other inquirey. "You are the first in a few years."
"I see..." you say. "So that's a no to fellow adventurers?"
"No. You may have more luck up in Vallaki."
"Ah... and..."
Their heads are turned together once again. They don't seem to be interested in continuing the conversation. That's okay.
Your mind turns to the Svalich Road, and to this Tser Pool they mentioned. The night is late, however, and they said not to travel at night.
That golden-haired man in the corner is still sipping his wine. He seems to have noticed you now, and he gives you a brief nod when you look over at him.
What do you do?
>Talk to the barkeep about a place to sleep. This is a tavern, not an inn, but it's worth a try.>Order food. It was a long road to get here. Need to keep your energy up.>Go to Bildrath's Mercantile, the shop outside. It seemed to be open, despite the late hour.>Approach the lone man who is sipping his wine in the corner.>Seek the church you saw at the foot of the cliff on which Castle Ravenloft stands.>Set out on the road. You have been traveling alone for years.>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)>Other (Specify) 